They say consistency is key along the offensive line.
In a season of change, the o-line is the only Stampeders position group without a new coach entering the 2025 season. Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Pat DelMonaco will continue to lead the trenches as he has done since 2014.
In 11 seasons with DelMonaco at the helm, the Stamps have never finished lower than third in fewest sacks allowed.
Coach: Pat DelMonaco
Vets: Bryce Bell*, Rodeem Brown*, Joshua Coker, D’Antne Demery, Christy Nkanu*, Kyle Saxelid*, Zack Williams*
Off-Season Additions:
Rookies: William Barnes, Khadere Kounta, Preston Nichols, Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Justin Shaffer
Departed: Sean McEwen*, Eric Smith
* Denotes Canadian
Who’s At The Centre?
The Stamps and Sean McEwen parted ways this off-season, creating a job opening for the starting centre. McEwen had held the position for the past four seasons, missing only eight games in that span. When he missed a game last season, Rodeem Brown stepped in to fill the role, and continued to backup McEwen throughout the season.
Could Brown take over the starting duties for good this year?
Additionally, the Stampeders could look Bryce Bell’s way. The fourth-year vet suited up at the centre for an injured McEwen in the 2022 season, where he started six games.
Another option could be 2024 first-round draft pick Christy Nkanu. The second-year player participated in all 18 games last season, including 11 starts at right guard. Although lining up at centre in a CFL contest would be new for the 26-year-old, general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson commented that with Nkanu’s versatility he thinks he could play centre.
New Blood?
Calgary did not add any new CFL veterans to the offensive line during the free agency period. However, they did add five rookie Americans to compete at camp, and sitting with the most picks in the 2025 CFL Draft with 10, could potentially add a couple rookie Canadians as well.
Rookie To Watch
- Justin Shaffer – The 6-foot-4, 330-lb. o-lineman played 50 games over five seasons (2017-21) at Georgia. In his final two seasons with the Bulldogs, he made 24 starts and was the left guard for Georgia’s national championship team in 2021. Shaffer was selected in the sixth round (190th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft.